News - page 2

NEWPORT — At the end of this week, all-terrain vehicles will be permitted to travel on select roadways in Newport. The ordinance is set to start on Friday, May 15. Newport police are warning riders that they will be taking an active role enforcing state and local ATV regulations and traffic laws. “We are excited…

ORLEANS — Steve Tarbox of Orleans was named category winner for “Best Urban Beard,” in this year’s fourth annual Vermont Beardies to benefit Make-A-Wish Vermont. Michel Fortin of St. Albans was named this year’s “Best Beard in Vermont.” The annual contest raises funds to help grant wishes to Vermont’s children facing life-threatening medical conditions. This…

NEWPORT — A 22-year-old man from Newport Center is facing charges after police say he ran from them after being caught speeding through Westfield. Police were monitoring traffic on Vermont Route 100 at around noon on Tuesday when they say they clocked a truck at 85 mph in a 35 mph zone. The driver, later…

NEWPORT — Health Department staff teamed up with Northeast Kingdom Emergency Medical Services units Wednesday as part of a training to conduct specimen collection for COVID-19 testing. The EMS units are among 10 around the state being trained by the department to help Vermont meet the goal of collecting 1,000 specimens a day. The units…

NEWPORT — Autopsies conducted yesterday in Burlington determined the cause and manner of death for the two individuals who died in Monday’s shooting in Newport. Kevin Atkins, 38, died by gunshot wounds to the head, neck, and torso. The manner of death is homicide. Paul Brown, 51, died by a gunshot wound to the head,…

NEWPORT — At a news conference this afternoon in Newport, State Police Capt. Scott Dunlap, commander of the Major Crime Unit, shared additional details regarding the early morning shooting on School Street. Police were notified of the shooting when Kim Brown, 48, of Newport, called 911 to report the incident. She is the wife of…

NEWPORT — Investigators have identified the victims in a shooting that took place this morning in Newport. The deceased victim has been identified as Kevin Atkins, 38, of Newport. The injured victim is identified as Atkins’ wife, Nicole Atkins, 29, also of Newport. Police say she suffered gunshot wounds to the neck and chest and…

NEWPORT — Governor Phil Scott announced limited elective procedures would resume, which had previously been put on hold as Vermont’s health care system focused on preparing for COVID-19. The Governor’s decision comes as the state’s modeling continues to show the spread of COVID-19 has slowed. Health care providers who recommence these procedures have been provided…

NEWPORT — Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred early this morning in Newport. The shooting was reported just before 6 a.m. at a home on School Street. Two people are dead, and a third person was injured and transported to the hospital for treatment. “Preliminary investigation indicates the shooting was an isolated incident,…

NEWPORT — The ONE Response Team is continuing to meet weekly to review resources to bring to the community, and on Friday they posted some recent updates. The United Church on Third Street in Newport has expanded its food shelf with extra bags available throughout the month. Bags are available from Monday through Friday from…

NEWPORT — Governor Phil Scott today released the state’s “3-Phased Reopening Plan” for Vermont’s manufacturing, fulfillment, and distribution enterprises. Scott says the plan is considered “a living document” and will be continuously updated and improved as information and guidance are refined and new best practices emerge. The governor’s order today states that effective May 4,…

NEWPORT — Farmers markets will be able to re-open on Friday, following guidelines issued by the state. The Newport Farmers Market, held in Gardner Park, posted today on Facebook that it is scheduled to open on May 16. The new guidelines include outdoor markets only and require wearing of face masks by vendors. Only food…

CRAFTSBURY COMMON — As the world confronts the coronavirus pandemic and economic pandemonium, and the educational system struggles to transition to meaningful online education, Sterling College is poised to confront all three challenges simultaneously with the support of a recently awarded $1.5 million grant. Sterling College is breaking new ground with EcoGather, the first online…

DERBY LINE — The Orleans County Sheriff’s Department is looking for information regarding damage to multiple properties in Derby Line. Employees from Derby Line village initially reported damage to Baxter Park on Monday afternoon. Sergeant Jacobs then observed additional damage at the Derby Line Elementary school property. Witnesses describe a younger male operating an older,…

NEWPORT — The Gardner Park Playground and Splashpad Project is progressing into the permitting and design phase. The $598,000 project is currently 75 percent funded after a series of grants, fundraisers, and donations. Jessica Booth, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Newport, says that with much of the conceptual work complete, they’re…

NEWPORT — Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS) Chancellor Jeb Spaulding announced plans to resign from the post after more than five years leading the organization. Spaulding will formally submit his resignation to the Board of Trustees at a meeting scheduled for tomorrow night. “It is with a heavy heart, but firm resolve that I submit…

BRIGHTON — Police are investigating a suspicious fire that damaged two log skidders in Brighton. Kenny Messier called police on Friday to report that two of his log skidders had burned on Gideon Mills Road. The skidders had self-extinguished and therefore the Brighton Fire Department had not been contacted. Police say nobody noticed the skidders…

NEWPORT — According to the latest GasBuddy survey, the average Vermont gasoline price was $1.95 per gallon as of Thursday. One year ago it was $2.75. The lowest recorded price in Vermont this week was $1.45 in Greensboro. Yesterday, the Troy Country Store offered the third-cheapest price per gallon in the state, at $1.67. The…

MONTPELIER – Governor Phil Scott outlined some additional openings today as part of the phased restart of Vermont’s economy, introduced last week. The Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order remains in effect, but with modeling continuing to indicate Vermonters are significantly slowing the spread of the virus, the administration says they are taking a “cautious,…

NEWPORT — The Vermont Foodbank and Vermont National Guard say they will continue to be distributing food to those in need across the state next week. On Friday, May 1, they will be visiting the Northeast Kingdom International Airport, in Newport. Those in need of food can come out and receive a seven-day supply of…

LOWELL — A barn fire broke out in Lowell on Monday night temporarily shutting down Route 100. Four local departments were called to battle the blaze, which was reported at around 7:10 p.m. The barn is located at the home of Robert and Rita Raboin. There was nobody inside the barn when the fire broke…

NEWPORT — Vermont State Colleges System Chancellor Jeb Spaulding announced this morning that he is withdrawing the reconfiguration recommendations he brought to his Board of Trustees earlier this week. That proposal included reducing the number of career-focused liberal arts campuses from three to one, closing the Northern Vermont University, and growing at Castleton University. In…

GLOVER — This year’s Glover Ambulance Lady Liberty Ice Out on Lake Parker ended on April 9, at 10:23 a.m. This year’s winner was Louis Theim, of Glover. Theim’s guess of April 9, at 12 a.m. was the closest without going over. The announcement of the winner was delayed as the COVID-19 “Stay at Home”…

NEWPORT — Food insecurity in Vermont has increased by one-third during the coronavirus pandemic, from 18.3 percent to 24.3 percent, according to a statewide survey conducted by the University of Vermont at the end of March. The increase in food insecurity was strongly correlated with employment status. Among survey respondents overall, 45 percent had lost…

NEWPORT — Area executive directors and leaders have been working over the last few weeks to form the Orleans and Northern Essex COVID 19 Response Team. ONE, as it is also called, was formed to keep residents informed and safe. The team says their goal is to assess the needs of those in the community…